The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-04-07

common interest the colonies had
with the mother country in the imperial defense.
He was opposed to the ambiti us scheme of max
ing constitution for the whole empire In on.
posing this, however, he did not wish to be un-
derstood as casting any slur upon the aspiration
for an imperial federation, although he was free to
say he thought the scheme was OF hazy and
doubtful character Still, it contained ma
teria out of which practical results might be OBJ
tanned, 1t should be borne in mind however
England was unable to emulate Germany in her
manner of conducting imperial affairs The English
government must be satisfied to allow each
position of the empire to conduct its own affairs in
its own locality. Two forms of union existed
one, military, the other customs union. He did
not think customs union among all parts of the
British empire an impossible union, for the i'm
perlal defense was of common interest The i'm
preston prevailed that the question of defense
was utterly an imperial matter, because colonial
dangers might result from imperial policy.
The speaker admitted tie extention of
of it might incur danger tnpland's policy was,
however, essentially pacific but the danger of war
arising from the policy of some other country
should induce the tolonists to make their defenses
efficient Distant parts of the empire were within
the sphere of possible aggression, European ma
tons were showing increased desire for col
onlzing foreign possessions. solemn and rea-
the colonies had in the shield which the imperial
government has thrown around them should con-
vince them it was to their interest to contribute
men and means to neutral defense. In addition to
between the colonies and England would become
more real and the spectacle would be presented to
the world of a vast empire founded not on force
or subsection, but on sympathy, and resolved to
use every means of cooperation.
THE AMEER ALARMED.
LONDON, April A La Hone paper announces
that the ameer of Afghanistau is seriously
alarmed over the discovery that number of the
nauive tribes are combining against him. He has
appealed to the Indian authorities for help and ad
vice The Afghals declare that the country has
been secretly sold to the British, and that the rail
way to UondatOr has been sanctioned by the ameer
to facilitate their advance. The fanatical element
OF the people Is rampant against the ameer, who
has removed his treasure to Bysabad, whittier he
will retire himself If he is defeated by his dissat-
lsfied subjects Other accounts say that the Chill
zais are restless under the ameer's tyranny and
have asked tho Indian authorities to depose him.
The Pioneer asserts that Lord Duiferin, British
viceroy, received disquietng news from Af-
ghanistan while at Allahabad recently.
THE IRISH CRIMES ACT.
LONDON, April 5.-The second reading of the
Irish crimes act amendment bill was formally
moved in the house of commons this afternoon, by
MIR. BalfOur, chief secretary for Ireland. Sir
Bernhart Samuelson, (Gladstonian), moved an
amendment to the bill to the effect that the bill
would if passed, increase disorder in ireland, and
endanger the union of the empire, and therefore
should be rejected
ON HER TRAVELS.
LONDON, April 5.-Queen Victoria will leave
Cannes Tomorrow for AK La Baines, going by way
of Marseilles.